This month, we have cleaned over 300 coats and distributed them to local charities, along with collecting almost 200 pounds of food. Our Coat Connection runs until 12/31/12, so there is still time to donate. Also, just a reminder that we collect food donations for Our Neighbors Helping Hand Food Connection, year-round, for families in need.

There is something comforting about a favorite sweater, but it can be frustrating when it stretches, shrinks or snags.

When shopping for that perfect sweater this season, remember that fabrics and style play an important role in the lifespan of your selection.

Cashmere, known for its subtle softness and warmth, generally wears well; it pills at a moderate rate and retains its shape.

Cotton usually doesn't pill, but you want to look for a tight cotton knit which will snag less. Cotton sweaters can have texture problems and become stiff after washing, but drycleaning will help to keep them soft. If the care label says to machine or hand-wash, trust us to professionally care for them. We use superior products and finishing techniques that can't be duplicated at home.

Mohair and Angora wear well and should be treated with the expert care that cashmere requires.

Merino Wool is soft, comfortable and gives you the warmth of other luxurious fabrics, with a tighter weave and less bulk.

Quality is important when choosing your garments and the investment you made should be entrusted to a professional cleaner.

A Lot of Trees-at the Andover Skate Park, runs through December 22nd. This month marks the 7th annual fundraiser for Andover Youth Services. Browse through their selection of trees, wreaths, mantelpieces and more!

Have some fun with the kids at Smolak Farms! On Wednesday, December 12th, they are hosting a Kids Cookie Decorating and Crafts event in the greenhouse.

Friday, December 14th has free, seasonal fun with Holiday Invitation Nights in downtown Newburyport, where you can enjoy festive live entertainment, merchant hospitality, shopping and dining!

John Anton's Cleaners has been a trusted name in the drycleaning industry for 3 generations and we are the experts when it comes to caring for your clothing needs. Your wardrobe can be an expensive investment; so how do you extend the life of your clothing?

Here are a few precautions you can take to help prolong the wear of your clothes:

Always follow the care label.

Clean clothes frequently; soiled clothes invite insects.

Do not allow perfumes, hairspray or lotions to come in contact with fabrics... most of them are alcohol based, which can result in color loss.

Do not store your clothes in the plastic covering of your freshly cleaned clothes. They are designed for temporary protection and can trap moisture in.

Whether you use table linens every day or just on special occasions, you'll want to keep them looking their best!

Prepare your table this holiday season with our expert Linen Service. Tablecloths, napkins, place mats and table runners are professionally cleaned and pressed to make your table setting, warm and inviting.

After the holidays are over, let us do the work of removing stains and we will have your items looking like new and ready for your next festive event!

Have you ever noticed something on your shirt that seems amiss and wondered what caused it? Shirts initially look simple in their structure, though they have components that contribute to their complexity.

Shirts can have a variety of problems local only to the collar and neck area due to defects in manufacturing. Some examples are:

Collar Shrinkage:Shrinkage is a characteristic built into a shirt when tensions are applied to yarns during weaving. This tension tends to stretch the fabric and shrinkage will eventually develop when the shirt is laundered.

Collar Puckering: Shirt collars are constructed with two layers of fabric with an interfacing in between for shape and stability. Sometimes, interfacing shrinks causing excess material and puckering appears.

Discoloration Shirt Collar Tips: This problem arises when a heat sensitive adhesive is applied to the collar facing prior to stitching. This is most often done on "wrinkle-free" or "no-iron" shirts. Sometimes this bonding agent melts during normal commercial pressing and comes to the collar surface, creating dark spots.

Professional laundering is one of the best ways to give shirts that "crisp, like-new look" and at John Anton's, you're guaranteed the professional consistency that you expect and deserve.

Veterans Day is the official United States holiday honoring armed service veterans and is observed on November 11th.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

We know that you join all of us at John Anton's Cleaners in honoring those who have made our country the free democracy that it is.

We do our small part of honoring current service men & women by offering discounts on their Military uniforms, as well as the uniforms of Policemen and Firemen.

The symbol of our freedom is the American Flag and here at John Anton's, the American Flag is always cleaned for free!

It's a beautiful time of year and just perfect for a hayride or a trip through a corn maze!

Smolak Farms in North Andover has hayrides every weekend through November. View their beautiful fruit orchards and fields as you enjoy a wagon hayride through their farm. They also have a great playground for the kids.

Marini Farm in Ipswich is featuring a 'Space Exploration' Corn Maze that is both educational and interactive. Learn about our solar system and the history of space exploration while walking through the maze.

Remember to take advantage of our 1¢ Sweater Sale!

Every 3rd sweater is only 1¢ until the end of October... no coupon needed!